Many of us are probably aware of the rakyat’s economic hardships that have been heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. As we surpassed the 1st anniversary of this new normal, different people may have adjusted differently; some who have lost their jobs may have found a new profession; while some may still be looking; with some individuals growing professionally and/or personally despite the challenges; and some choosing to prioritise their mental health; or some may even have become desensitized to COVID-19 news.

The COVID-19 outbreak is a global calamity that knows no age, skin colour, or race as the world’s population becomes vulnerable to this virus.

A Helping Hand
Whatever the situation may look like for each individual, this year may not be as smooth-sailing for the beneficiaries of ASEAN CARES. The limitations to everyday choices and access to basic necessities are unfortunately a daily struggle to the majority of these groups who comprise the elderly, people with disabilities, lactating mothers and pregnant women, refugees, migrants, as well as the rural and urban poor (B40 communities).

As one of the appointed local civil society organizations for ASEAN CARES, the youth-led non-governmental environmental organization, EcoKnights, is on a nationwide mission to aid 1,700 at-risk individuals in Malaysia, covering the region of Selangor, Johor, Sabah, and Kuala Lumpur (KL).

Sponsored by 3M, and supported by the United Way Worldwide and the ASEAN Foundation, ASEAN CARES is a program that aims to help deserving and under-represented communities facing food security and hygiene crises in Malaysia.

Making Ends Meet
The reality is that few people have been left unscathed by the pandemic. We read and watch news about the elderly, the poor, and refugees not being able to put food on the table but it is all too easy to become desensitized by the struggles of the marginalized people as we are occupied by our own life problems.

“Unfortunately, the group that has suffered the most during this pandemic is the group that has been largely ignored by our society, including the refugees, the undocumented, and the non-citizens living in our country,” stated Teo Chee Kim from Future Alam Borneo, the outreach partner of EcoKnights in the Sabah region.

Making ends meet was [and still is] the new norm, now even more apparent to these groups due to the global outbreak and the national mandate of the movement control order.

“We used to be able to catch a lot of fish. Now, our catch is less because of the MCO. We could not earn an income anymore,” says one villager from the Seletar community in Johor, also known as the Sea People (Orang Laut), who has benefited from ASEAN CARES. “Since PKP has restricted many work and travel plans, I am very grateful to ASEAN CARES for extending their help to us. Some days when we can’t go to the sea, we only have around RM20 to eat, which is just enough for me and my family. Hence, I am truly grateful for this [rice] and other food supply given from ASEAN CARES, especially when MCO happens,” added the Seletar villager.

As one of the active people within the environmental scene, Amlir Ayat (Vice President of EcoKnights) witnessed the struggles faced by the Seletar community firsthand during his visit to Pasir Gudang, Johor.

“Even before the COVID-19 transpired, the [Seletar] community has faced environmental ramifications from urban development and polluted waters – further risking their source of livelihood. Now that the state is under the mandate of the Movement Control Order (MCO), the situation may be detrimental at an even greater extent,” explained Amlir who has been actively engaged with the Seletar community in previous years.

Amplifying these Voices
For one of ASEAN CARES volunteers, Adlin Saufi, who is part of the EcoKnights team, working as a videographer on the ground and interacting directly with the beneficiaries has helped put things into perspective.

“I come from the state of Johor as well, so I always knew the existence of such communities. But to see them in person hits me differently,” reflected Adlin during his work visit in Pasir Gudang, Johor. “As a videographer, I am always on the lookout for the smaller gestures and little moments that hopefully could showcase the reality of these groups of people to the rest of the world. There are so many untold stories that need to be heard,” added Adlin.

“As we rely on external support by the relevant groups, we are extremely grateful for the aid and support that are given to us. Especially as we live in a foreign environment; separated from family members as we are displaced without permanent residence; limited access and opportunities to a stable job and making ends meet every single day even before the pandemic,” expressed Rahman* who is one of the refugee beneficiaries under the care of NGO Women for Refugees.

Women for Refugee (WFR) is the outreach partner of EcoKnights for the ASEAN CARES programme in the KL region, and is an NGO that aids refugee women and communities in Malaysia. Their mission is to equip these groups with literacy and technical skills to build refugee communities that are resilient and have access to education as their basic human rights.

“We are adamant about creating a new narrative around community service: it is important to honour the people and communities we serve. At WFR, our women are not our charity cases, they’re our stakeholders. They have bought into us just as much as we buy into them – dignity remains at the center of what we do,” expressed Davina Devarajan, co-founder of Women for Refugees.

Beyond Basic Necessities
Fadly Bakhtiar, EcoKnights Programme Director, emphasized the importance of providing continuous assistance to deserving communities that goes beyond basic daily necessities. This is evident from the Training for Trainer initiative, as EcoKnights sees the importance of education for communities, especially to young children. Through ASEAN CARES, they were able to conduct training sessions and distribute educational materials (e.g. fliers) on the safety and health measures during a pandemic, on top of providing basic hygiene kit (e.g. face mask, soap and women’s pad).

“It is important that not only the basic necessities are given continually to the beneficiaries but also to equip these groups with education and resourceful materials, in this case, the resources to safe hygienic care and proper sanitation during a global pandemic,” added Fadly.

EcoKnights’ Training for Trainers program consists of a 20-minute live demonstration on the proper steps to hand-washing as well as the importance of wearing face masks. The Malaysian government enforced the mandate of wearing face masks in open public spaces dated back to August 2020.

This mandatory ruling is one of the many precautionary steps one must take to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19, making it more evitable for at-risk communities to be given the right source of information and resources.

“As long as there is no vaccine for the public, we need to continue providing assistance to the target groups in need,” said Fadly Bakhtiar.

Sustainability and Community Resiliency
As the Head of Program for EcoKnights’ Project BUMI: Meet the Needs under ASEAN CARES, Nabila Shohimi shared her insights about the humanitarian aid program.

“As an environmental NGO that focuses on sustainability, it was important for us to organize a humanitarian aid program that provides long-term alternatives to the beneficiaries. Knowing this fact, it was crucial for us to engage with the community in the Training for Trainers program, which is a 20-minute demonstration on health and safety measures that aims to combat the spread of the COVID-19,” said Nabila.

After a visit to one of the indigenous group’s villages in Bukit Cheding, Banting, Selangor, it was found that their public hall was not in a good condition, in addition to an improper sanitation facility (washroom). Due to this predicament, through ASEAN CARES, EcoKnights managed to build a rainwater harvesting system and a shower facility next to the washroom.

“The key to resiliency and sustainability is not on wealth-based materials such as big houses, cars and funds, as being resilient is by having access to necessities and skills that can develop social growth of the individuals and its community. This is met by having a decent home for shelter, basic healthcare services, food, clean water, electricity, education, transportation and connectivity, as every human is entitled to these,” added Nabila.

Another important values that came from this humanitarian aid is the human connection one discerns, especially during a time when the world is trying to distant its people at six feet apart. Malaysia sees a surge of humanitarian aid programs especially during the COVID-19 uprising, and it is heart-warming to see the wave of support given by the people to the people, with ASEAN CARES being one of the many.

For more information about Project BUMI: Meet the Needs, implemented through the ASEAN CARES, visit https://ecoknights.org.my/asean-cares/

*Name has been changed to protect privacy

This content is provided by EcoKnights.

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